Kim Jong-un — a leader accustomed to pre-recording and heavy editing — being beamed live on televisions around the world, in a situation he for once couldn't fully control.

But if the 30-something leader was nervous about this historic handshake, he didn't show it.

As South Korean President Moon Jae-in waited on his side of the demarcation zone at the border, Mr Kim smiled, walked over and was the first to speak as the two leaders shook hands for about 30 seconds.

As pre-planned in this meticulously stage-managed event, Mr Kim then stepped over the line and the pair posed for photographers as the third generation of North Korea's ruling dynasty set foot in South Korea for the first time.

But then something apparently unexpected happened.

As Mr Moon gestured for the pair to walk into South Korea towards the ceremonial area, Mr Kim stopped him and invited him to take a historic step of his own into North Korea.

It was a moment that appeared to catch the far more seasoned South Korean leader off guard.

Mr Moon hesitated.

So the younger man took his hand and together they hopped back over the border line as officials applauded.

The two were handed flowers by a South Korean boy and girl, residents of a village situated in the demilitarised zone.

Walking on the red carpet rolled out for the two heads of state, the pair were met by a South Korean honour guard in historical costumes and playing traditional music.

Visually at least, the beginning of this summit displayed a friendliness and warmth that seems decades away from the military parades and talk of war that overshadowed the Korean Peninsula just months ago.

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